Engineers' integrity questioned in bridge assessment
This was the feeling created when Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool told the House of Assembly that he was prepared to accompany Hon. Fahie to re-examine the state of the Frenchman’s Cay bridge.
Hon Fahie at the time was seeking information as to when the bridge, which he described as being in urgent need of repair, would be repaired.
In response, Hon Vanterpool told the Honourable House that the Public Works Department had conducted an assessment of the bridge and had found that it was only affected by superficial flaking. “….superficial flaking has been found on the structure, however they considered the structure to be sound,” said Hon Vanterpool.
However, he offered to accompany Hon Fahie along with other relevant persons to revisit the situation. “…. I will, Madam Speaker, based on the Member’s suggestion make a date myself with the engineers along with the Member to see what the situation is with that bridge,” said Hon. Vanterpool.
The response by Hon. Vanterpool sparked the curiosity of Hon. Fahie who asked, “Did Public Works go to the site with an engineer or did they go with the fellows who were organizing the bush cutting?”
Hon. Fahie said he found the question necessary as it would not have made sense that the Honourable Members of the House to go to the site. “…I did not get who went to the site …so that he and me going to the site doesn’t make no difference,” Hon Fahie remarked.
“Madam I am not being frivolous in my answer… I can’t speak intelligently about this, however they [PWD] have said it’s sound …” noted Hon Vanterpool.
He continued, “It may come out that after we revisit that they are wrong and there is something that was missed. However, I don’t want to be frivolous about it...”
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32 Responses to “Engineers' integrity questioned in bridge assessment”
All ayo is just a waste of time and money (precisely why we going broke). Waste time talking a bunch a gabbbage in HOA and know for yourselves you all ain have integrity yourselves to deal with their integrity
BRING IN DEH ENGLISH MAN DEM. I don't mine outsiders running my country, the only good job the locals doing is F&*%ing it up.
Good try but get the facts. Within the last 6 month is when signs of issues pertaining to the structure of the bridge have become visible. The district rep is doing his job going to the Minister but the M...r needs to be truthful & admit that he didn't inform PWD. He just answer the question hog style because he doesn't care.
I use that bridge at least 4 to 5 times a week and my children like to fish there. We have eyes too!
Secondly, it is not my job to do bridge inspections. That is the job of a certified engineer and the fellows at PWD. But by all means, throw me in jail for having a pair of eyes to see. Get in a small boat and go under the bridge yourself someday and tell me what you see. Then go make your case to the minister. LOL!
I use the bridge many times a day. traffic goes 10-20 miles an hour over it because of the sharp blind corner. It is a short bridge. that said-- what is the big deal to go look at it again, Andrew? with or without the minister, find an engineer, get a report and bring it back to council and rub his nose in it. This may be a cover to build a larger wider bridge for more boats to go under. the whole place will soon be dredged dispite the fisheries protected area.
Only since NDP in the bridge gone bad ??????????????
Just PRETENDING like he working, that's all Fahie doing!
M... and this PWD crew has very little significance unfortunately beyond that.....
If the bridge is rated deficient and its condition not structurally sound, it should not be in operation. Did an engineer actually conduct a comprehensive engineering evaluation of the super and substructures and deemed this bridge structurally sound? Did the engineer certify the report? Is the engineer willing to put his or her professional competence and integrity on the line?
This is not a game. There is no room for political expediency here. People's life are at risk. Consequently, let's do this right. If there are no certified structural engineers on island, procure one from overseas, especially one with bridge knowledge and experience. A visual inspection is insufficient to determine that a bridge is structurally sound. The bridge spans the sea and is aging so of course the surface will flake, oxidize and popout. We have an obligation to protect public health and safety. Let's not have a serious injury or a death on our conscience, especially when we had the means and opportunity to prevent the mishap. It would be a shame if a mishap occur due to gross negligence.